eurca review: Careful How You Hold Me

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Careful How You Hold Me

Review

By Ignacio A Gomez de Segura, Dr.Med.Vet. Dipl. ECLAM, Dipl.ECVA ialvarez.hulp@salud.madrid.org
Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain (commissioned by eurca)

Summary
“Careful how you hold me” is a training CD with basic material on the use of most common laboratory animals that covers 5 points: Legislation, types of animals, handling and husbandry, anaesthesia, surgery, and euthanasia, autopsy and disposal. The CD has an autoinstallable set-up and an intuitive and attractive look. It includes a range of good quality photographs and videoclips describing most common procedures. Therefore, this CD is an alternative to the use of laboratory animals in the first stage of training novices in common procedures.

Comparison with the real animal model
Although this is an instructional CD and not a simulation, many of the videos have sufficient quality to clearly show the procedures and avoid the use of animals or, at least, serve as a clear demonstration or ‘first step’ on ‘how to’ approach, for instance, surgical procedures. Nevertheless, adequate practice can not be substituted by video viewings.
The 5 areas covered are:

Legislation: Covers Australian and New Zealand laws, regulations and codes of practice. Nine key questions and answers are given as a basic guide to the ethical review process.
Husbandry and sourcing of animals: Describes common (animal) strains of mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits as well as basic characteristics regarding the genetic background and microbiological status. The explanations to the photographs are brief and not systematised, in that different kinds of data are given. Videos of basic handling of the four species are clear and demonstrative. Photographs of the most common devices and techniques are shown but videos showing the use of the restraint devices or techniques would improve teaching quality. Videos showing sexing procedures, basic health monitoring or weighing are clear but contrast with the lack of filmed material regarding tissue collection (i.e. blood) and substance administration. However, such material can not replace actually practising the procedures described unless it is used only for general teaching of laboratory animal science.
Anaesthesia: On this point, the CD includes a relatively large amount of text compared to the other sections. This section would probably be more balanced if some videos of the most basic anaesthetic procedures were included, i.e., injectable and inhalational anaesthesia and basic monitoring.
Surgery: This section is well-covered with good quality videos showing surgical equipment and basic techniques in mice, rats and rabbits.
Euthanasia, Autopsy, Disposal: A basic description of the procedures is given with reference tables, photos and videoclips.

In summary, the resource is a good guide to the basic procedures and necessary skills performed in laboratory animal science as well as the principles behind them. It allows the students to learn and provides a good foundation for beginning to practice successfully.

Set-up of the alternative resource
Installation of the CD is straightforward since it is an auto-executable programme. Once the CD is inserted in the CD reader the application starts. The Quicktime programme is necessary to play videos on the computer and its installation program is also included in the CD. Similarly, Acrobat Reader can be installed to read and print the reference tables. The Help video should be played the first time the CD is employed since it gives a clear explanation of the navigation buttons and menus.

Attitude towards alternative resources
The CD describes the basic characteristics and proper procedures of the most common laboratory animals. It is focused on refining methods and animal use can be replaced or reduced when this material is appropriately employed, mainly in the training of novice research and other technical staff, but also may help some experienced people.

Applicability in teaching situation
This is the main target of the reviewed CD. It is suitable for FELASA Category A, B and C or similar courses, for both independent and class use. Contains the basics of laboratory animals: species and basic strains, husbandry, handling, basic anaesthetic and surgical procedures. All these issues are covered with good quality photographs and videoclips as well as useful text-based explanatory information, tables and references. Unfortunately, the only legislation referred to is for Australia and New Zealand.
This CD could be considered as too basic for most experienced or trained personnel, although some procedures may be considered helpful in some instances. However, this is an excellent material for inexperienced researchers and technicians, which may use it easily without the guidance of a tutor although initial assistance is recommended.

Visual appearance
The visual appearance is outstanding with easy-to-follow menus, brief but informative ‘help’ entries and high-quality photographs and videoclips. The CD has definitely a professional look and was produced by the Multimedia Education Unit of the University of Melbourne.

Service provided by the supplier
The University of Melbourne provides a WEB page where a detailed description of the CD and system requirements is given. A web page is available for further information, i.e., references although not apparently updated. A contact address is also given to request further information.

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Response to review by Glenn Swafford, PhD g.swafford@unimelb.edu.au
University of Melbourne (commissioned by eurca)

We were very pleased to see the review. The comments will be helpful as we consider future developments of this and like products and our education and training approach overall.

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